slipjoint

Spyderco UK Penknife (UKPK) Review

Last Updated: August 12, 2019
For a long time I believed that the Delica was not a well-designed knife. I realized recently, however, that what I actually meant was that, compared to many other designs in the Spyderco catalog, the Delica is simply outdated. Everything that I find irksome about it – the compromised ergonomics, VG-10 steel, lack of a forward choil – has been fixed in other, similarly-sized designs.

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Not least among these better designs is the Caly 3. An improvement over the Delica 4 in just about every way, the only issue with the Caly 3 is that it’s two to three times the price of the Delica, depending on which flavor you choose.

But there’s a much less-well-known knife in the Spyderco catalog, a knife that is essentially a super lightweight, slipjoint Caly 3, and that costs only about as much as a Delica. It’s called the UK Penknife in FRN, a truly underrated knife, and one that I think is well worth checking out.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spyderco UK Penknife lineup is kind of confusing. The first version, a G-10 model, was released in 2004, designed to conform to knife laws in the United Kingdom, which are stricter than those in the US. In 2005 the DKPK, a variant with a non-functioning Spyder Hole designed with the even stricter Danish knife laws in mind, was released.

In 2010, the Lightweight models were introduced, with FRN handle scales instead of G-10. These models came in three different handle colors, with two different blade shapes, each available with plain, partially-serrated, or fully-serrated edges.

In 2012, most of the color and edge options were discontinued, leaving only the black-handled models, and in 2013 the grind was changed from a hollow/saber grind to a full-flat one. My particular UK Penknife is from the discontinued generation, with maroon handle scales and a leaf-shaped, plain edge blade. The only difference between the currently available model and my own is the grind, which I will discuss below.

History aside, here’s what we’re looking at with the UK Penknife: a blade length of 2 15/16”, a handle length of 4”, and an overall length of 6 7/8”. It weighs just 1.9 oz; this weight is achieved not only because there are no liners beneath the scales, but because Spyderco rather brilliantly shortened the length of the spring, so that it only runs out to only about 60% of the spine; here’s a picture of it:

The UK Penknife is made in the Spyderco’s Golden, Colorado factory. On my particular knife, the fit and finish was superb. Everything was nicely finished and pleasing to the eye. The thing I could take issue with is the slightly sloppy edge grind: on side the bevel terminates earlier than the other. Of course, this doesn’t affect performance, so it’s not something I’m losing sleep over.

The Spyderco leaf shape blade has proven its utility over many years, across many knives. The UK Penknife’s particular rendition is almost exactly the same as that of the Caly 3’s, which means a narrower blade profile than something like the Sage knives or the Native, and with a better, more acute tip than the snub-nosed Delica. Like a traditional drop point blade, the leaf shape is a winner not so much because it excels in any one category, but rather because it has a such a wide vocabulary of use: cutting, piercing, mild prying, digging; the leaf shape can do it all.

As good as the blade shape is, the grind on my UK Penknife is a sticking point. It’s a hollow saber grind, and, like the similar grind on some Delica 4 models, it just doesn’t slice all that well. Compare it to the Caly 3’s full flat grind, and it isn’t even close. As Grayson pointed out in his Aculus review, there are definitely a lot of cutting tasks that don’t require slicing, but the fact is that in the case of the UK Penknife, a full flat grind would have just worked better: you would get slicing performance without losing anything. Spyderco must’ve realized this, because the newest model is full flat ground, and that knife, I am sure, would both cut and slice with aplomb.

The UK Penknife’s blade is made from CTS-BD1 steel. This is an American stainless steel that’s really only seen in Spyderco knives, but one that I really like. I think of it as a next-generation entry-level steel. It holds an edge better, and is less rust-prone, than AUS-8 or 8CR13MoV, and sharpens much easier than VG-10. The thing that I like best about it, though, is that it keeps what I call a ‘clean’ edge: that is to say, as it dulls it doesn’t get toothy or cut any rougher, even if it gets more difficult to make a cut. I’ve always cited N690Co as a steel that keeps a clean edge; BD1 is right up there with it. Also worth noting is the finish on my UK Penknife: a muted, mild stonewash, it’s something I haven’t seen on any other Spyderco knife, and it looks really nice.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The UK Penknife’s Caly 3 heritage really comes through in the ergonomics department. A handle with simple, unobtrusive contours, it manages the amazing trick of making any grip you care to hold it in seem like the one it was designed for. The forward half-and-half finger choil, a Spyderco staple, is characteristically excellent, giving you control over the blade during use.

Some people don’t like the feel of FRN. I can understand that: in some knives, it feels cheap, flimsy, a compromise rather than a considered choice. However, not all polymers are created equal, and the FRN that the UK Peknife is made from appears to be top shelf. I wouldn’t ever say it feels luxurious or anything like that, it exudes quality. I particularly like that the edges are all rounded over, imitating the smooth, comfortable feel of chamfered G-10 or titanium. In fact, I prefer the FRN scales of the UK Penknife to the CF laminate and steel liners of the Caly 3; they’re more comfortable and durable.

The wire clip is the same one on the Caly 3, the deep-carry wire clip. I don’t really know if I understand the ‘advantages’ of deep carry, but with so many terrible clip designs on the market right now, I’m just happy with something that works, even if I personally would prefer the spoon clip for its rigidity: I have broken two wire clips in the past.

Deployment and Lockup

Because it is a slipjoint, the UK Penknife opens a lot slower than locking knives: the tension of the spring against the tang remains all the way through the deployment process, generating friction. This doesn’t mean that you can’t flick the UK Penknife open; you can, but it takes a little finesse to do so, and really, I don’t mind just slow-rolling it open. There’s an interesting sort of very mild half-stop too, which I like because it, along with the audible snick you get when the knife is fully opened, gives you plenty of feedback while opening it.

When open, the UK Penknife feels very secure. Like the Pingo, it doesn’t take a ton of force to close it, which I prefer: I don’t like wrestling with my slipjoints to close them. I feel like the UK Penknife will be plenty safe in any reasonable role. But beyond this, holding the knife with your forefinger in the half-and-half choil, you create a sort of lock with your hand – a very nice touch that is echoed in many of Spyderco’s slipjoints. Needless to say, with any cutting tool, and in most real-life cutting tasks, good sense will do more work than a lock would in preventing accidents.

Spyderco UK Penknife Review – Final Thoughts

The version of the UK Penknife that I have is a near-perfect, lightweight, lockless version of the Caly 3, hindered only by a weird grind. The 2013 UK Penknife fixes that issue and might just be the best entry level-priced Spyderco on the market.

Once you get in the $80-120 range, the competition gets a lot fiercer, but even compared to the those knives – the Spyderco Native 5, the Chapparal, the Paramilitary 2 – the UK Penknife is not without its appeal. For a knife based off one of the perennial darlings of the Spyderco lineup, the UK Penknife is a surprisingly underrated gem.

Spyderco UK Penknife Leaf Lightweight Folding Utility Pocket Knife - Black FRN Handle with PlainEdge, Full-Flat Grind, CTS BD1 Steel Blade and SlipIt - Everyday Carry - C94PBK

Leaf Shaped Blade: A blade shape developed and refined by Spyderco. It is similar to a spearpoint, but not completely symmetrical, and has a more acute point and typically no swedge.
SlipIt: A non-locking system that combines the convenience of clip carry and one-hand opening with a socially friendly notch-joint mechanism that helps hold the blade safely open during use, but does not mechanically lock it.
FRN Handle: Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon is a polymer mixed with glass fiber then injection molded into formed and textured lightweight high-strength knife handles.
Full-Flat Grind: This knife features a blade ground with flat bevels that extend from the spine all the way to the cutting edge. This grind reduces drag during cutting and decreases overall weight.
Specifications: Closed Length (Inches): 3.95, Overall Length (Inches): 6.88, Blade Length (Inches):2.93, Blade Steel: CTS BD1, Grind: Full-Flat

If you want to buy a Spyderco UKPK, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Northwoods Knives Indian River Jack Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

I have been interested in traditional slip joint knives for a while now. I am not alone. Many have come to enjoy the pocket friendly lines of a simple slip joint, and the thinly ground blades cut like nothing else. Some might find the absence of a lock unnerving, but in my experience most of the time a slip joint is more than enough knife for normal utility tasks.

Buy the Northwoods Indian River Jack at KnivesShipFree

As I wandered down the slip joint rabbit hole I eventually came across the Northwoods Knives Indian River Jack. Here is a simple single blade pattern, but with an upgraded blade steel (in this case, CPM-154). No other bells or whistles to speak of. Some might refer to this as an ever elusive “perfect EDC knife”.

The Northwoods Knives brand was purchased by Derrick Bohn of KnivesShipFree sometime around 2010-2011. Northwoods were originally made by Great Eastern Cutlery and Queen Cutlery (2 American companies specializing in traditional folders), and Derrick has continued the tradition of having the knives made in the USA by these manufacturers. The knife in this review was made by GEC, although the current version of the knife is made by Queen (at the time of writing this article, mid 2015). IRJ’s are released in small batches. Due to the limited supply and unique selling proposition of a 154CM blade, demand for the IRJ is out of control. The knives quickly sell out every time a batch hits Derrick’s website.

I was fortunate enough to snag one of the 2014 GEC manufactured IRJs, and have been carrying the knife for many months now.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The IRJ has an overall length of approximately 6.25″, a 2.5″ blade, weighs 2.2 ounces, and is made in the USA. This knife has a similar footprint to my cherished Victorinox Cadet, and is an ideal size for every day carry (EDC) in my book. Certainly, this makes for a fine gentleman’s folder. And given the limited quantities of the IRJ I would classify this as a collectible as well. As I try to compare the IRJ with other knives in my collection, I would almost classify this as a cross between the Cadet and CRK Mnandi.

The blade of the Indian River Jack is a simple drop point pattern. Again, it reminds me of the blade on the Cadet. Just dead simple. In this instance there is a very slight swedge. Still very simple. The blade has a full flat grind with satin finish, and is thin behind the edge. It is a beautiful slicer. Perfect for light tasks like opening mail and cutting up fruit, but certainly capable of tougher chores. It slides through cardboard, cuts rope, and whittles wood with ease.

My version of the Indian River Jack came in CPM-154 stainless steel. As much as I enjoy the charm of the high carbon steel blade on my GEC Viper, there is something to be said for the ease of maintenance of stainless steel. I can ride this knife hard, put it away wet (sometimes literally), and not have to worry about rust or heavy oxidation. I have been guilty of occasionally not cleaning and oiling my high carbon bladed slip joints as well as I should have, and coming back to find the blade covered with rust. Plus CPM-154 is just excellent steel. It takes an edge easily enough and holds it for a long time. Combine that with the super thin geometry of the IRJ’s grind, and you are left with almost unmatchable slicing performance.

Handle, and Ergonomics

The handle of the Indian River Jack is a simple pill shape, with nickle silver bolsters and brass liners. The handle comes in a variety of “covers” (handle scale materials). Mine happens to have jigged bone for the handle material, which is a handle material that I don’t have a lot of experience with. It certainly fits the traditional aspects of the knife. The nickle silver bolsters are highly reflective and lend a touch of class (and extra heft) to the IRJ.

Everything has been riveted together. Fit and finish is pretty good on my knife. The transition between backspring and spine of the blade on my example could be better, and there is a tiny gap between the liners and backspring. But beyond that the pieces line up and the finish work is nice. Given the price I am not disappointed.

In hand the Indian River Jack is a capable little knife. There is no jimping, no finger choils, no lanyard hole, no skull crusher pommel, no rubber inserts, or skateboard tape. Yet still the IRJ seems to work just fine. There is plenty to hold onto and I have enjoyed using the knife for a multitude of basic chores. As with any folding knife, it needs to be treated with care and respect.

While there is no pocket clip to speak of on the Indian River Jack, KnivesShipFree does include a leather slip case with the knife. The leather on the slip case is thick, and carrying the knife in the case is akin to carrying a small secondary wallet. Slip cases prevent the knife from getting beat up in your pocket, and I am a fan of these kinds of cases – especially for dressier pieces like this. It’s a nice touch and a great option for the IRJ, especially if you want to preserve the knife as a collectible.

Walk and Talk

I have disbanded with the usual “Deployment and Lockup” section since this is a slip joint. Instead, lets discuss the “walk and talk” of this modern traditional folder. The IRJ features a slim nail nick to access the blade. It is cut sharply and the knife is easy enough to open and close with two hands. This will never compare with the easy opening of a thumb stud, thumb hole, or flipper, but that is part of the charm of these older patterns.

The backspring on the IRJ is pretty snappy. I won’t proclaim to be an expert on the walk and talk of slip joints, but compared with some of my other slippies, I’d say it’s a on the strong side. The blade opens and shuts with a satisfying snap. There is no hard half stop, but the blade does seem to naturally rest in the half position. There is a little pinch of resistance there as you push the blade open or closed. All said the action on this slip joint is smooth and satisfying.

Indian River Jack – Final Thoughts

It should come as no surprise that I really like the Indian River Jack. The classic design, good fit and finish, and CPM-154 blade all serve to make it a winner in my book. Despite being somewhat rare and coveted, this is still a working knife at the end of the day. It isn’t perfect, but that makes it all the more endearing. Compared with the fancy folders of today, the $130 price tag is relatively modest.

In a way I have struggled to write this review. This knife is understated, but excellent. I wanted to give it the respect and appreciation it deserves without being over the top, because doing so would be incongruous with the knife. But maybe I should be over the top. This knife is worthy of the praise.

For those on the quest for the “perfect EDC knife”, the Indian River Jack could be a contender depending on your preferences. If you are like me, and gravitate towards small sleek knives for daily carry, then the IRJ checks a lot of boxes. Perhaps the limited availability is the biggest detractor to the IRJ. You have to scour the secondary market or keep an eagle eye on KniveShipFree (the only purveyor of Northwoods Knives) for when they get new shipments in. Regardless, the IRJ makes my list of best EDC knives. Highly recommended for fans of minimalist and traditional folding knives.

Indian River Jack – From $130.00
From: KnivesShipFree

I recommend purchasing the Indian River Jack at KnivesShipFree. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

GEC #47 Viper Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

Last Updated: August 5, 2019
I have recently seen a resurgence of interest in classic slipjoint knives. Maybe folks are getting tired of shelling out $200+ for the latest framelock flipper. Or maybe they like the idea of carrying something their grandpa may have carried. Who knows for sure.

Buy the GEC Viper at KnivesShipFree

Personally I know over the past couple years my carry tastes have trended toward the traditional. I still enjoy the latest and greatest, but 2 of my favorite EDC folders in recent memory have been the Victorinox Cadet and Chris Reeve Mnandi. I loved the slim utility of the Cadet, and the leather ensconced classiness of the Mnandi. They are such excellent knives for my basic daily purposes.

Then reading Tony’s review of the Indian River Jack piqued my interest in GEC knives. I view some of these GEC slip joints as almost a cross between a Cadet and Mnandi: simple tools matched with higher end materials and finishes.

So today’s review is of the GEC Viper. Or the #47 as some call it. I don’t know what it is exactly about the classic swayback slip joint pattern, but I really dig these traditional wharncliffes. The Viper is a newer model, and it’s garnered a fair amount of enthusiasm amongst the traditional knife crowd, so I figured it would be a nice model to acquire for review.

I don’t proclaim to be an expert on these traditional knives. Heck I’m not an expert on knives at all (just ask Kershaw Thomas). But I enjoy cutlery and will do my best to share my opinion of this fine folder from Great Eastern Cutlery.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Viper has an overall length of 6.81″, a 3″ blade, and it weighs 2.7 ounces. I must not have researched this knife very carefully because when it arrived in it’s cardboard tube I was surprised at how big it was. This is a good size slippie, especially when compared to something like a Cadet. I grew to enjoy the size of the 47. After all, it was originally designed to be a working knife. It is also fine as a suburban EDC.

The Viper comes with a beautiful 1095 carbon steel warncliff blade. Mine has a high flat grind and swedge. The edge is very fine. It’s more of a microbevel than anything. The high carbon steel has been given almost a mirror polish. It looks good and I imagine it helps cut down on rust and corrosion. 1095 is not a stainless steel, and I have had it rust on a few of my fixed blades. By giving the blade a polish there is actually less surface area for rust.

But the cool thing is that the polished 1095 will patina. On my Sod Buster JR I decided to play around with a “forced” patina by slathering the blade in mustard. With the Viper I want the patina to form naturally, so I’ve just been using the knife as I normally would, and resisting the urge to dip it in a vat of honey dijon. So far the results have been cool. I like the character it has developed over the past couple months, and look forward to seeing how things progress.

One small complaint is the amount of branding that GEC etches onto the blade. In my pictures the etching has faded, but from the factory it comes with a very overt “NORTHFIELD UN-X-LD” logo smack dab in the middle of the beautiful blade. Yeah… no thanks. Mercifully, most of the logo rubbed off after an application of Barkeeper’s Friend, a cleaning product that should consider sponsoring the website given how much I talk about it.

The 1095 isn’t just good to look at. The blade of my Viper has been given a super keen edge, and the cutting performance has been really nice. The blade easily tracks through paper, and I’ve also used the knife for mild food prep, opening packages, etc. But the other weekend I really put the knife through it’s paces. I was tasked with cutting up a large quantity of cardboard with drywall joint compound on it that wouldn’t fit into a trash can. These slip joints are usually ground thin, and the Viper is no exception. It is a keen slicer and made easy work of the cardboard. At the end of the the edge had slowed down a little, but 1095 is very easy to touch up on a strop or corner of my Spyderco Sharpmaker.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

GEC offers the Viper in a variety of handle configurations. Mine is bolstered with Che Chen Rosewood scales over brass liners. This is my first knife with rosewood. It’s a beautiful wood and I have seen it on many high end guitars. I love the fine cord-like grain and deep shimmering quality of the wood when you hold it up to the light. The handle has been beautifully finished. The edges are nicely chamferred, there are no gaps in the liner or backspring, the pins and lanyard tube are meticulously sanded down, and the silver medallion inset into the handle is flawless. When you turn the knife over to examine the back of the handle there is no gap or bump in between the back spring and spine of the blade. It’s a really nice and well made handle.

In hand the Viper feels like a spacious work knife should. Don’t let the wood handles fool you: this is still a high performance tool. Back before the days of titanium, G10 and stainless steel, these were the kinds of knives folks used every day. Working with the Viper you can understand why these kinds of handles have stood the test of time. They are basic and comfortable. You can definitely whittle some sticks, cut cardboard, or handle most other daily tasks with ease.

The Viper is without a pocket clip, but it came with a leather slip sheath. I enjoyed using a slip sheath with my Mnandi, and use a slip sheath with my Fantoni Dweller as well. This sheath is wider and thicker than I’m used to, but it’s sturdy and feels good in the pocket. I like this kind of carry – especially when working in an office. If the sheath is too bulky you could always throw the knife directly into your pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

I should probably change this section to “Walk and Talk” to fall more in line with the idiosyncrasies of traditional folders. After all, this is a slip joint with a nail nick. The knife doesn’t “deploy” and there is no lock up. The nail nick is easy to get at, and the backspring on the slip joint is surprisingly strong. This is a purposeful two handed opening knife. There is a dedicated half stop, and the backspring is almost flush at the half stop.

When closing the knife you need to use some level of care due to the strong back spring. There is a half stop, but if you aren’t careful there is still room for the meat of your finger to get pinched in between the ricasso and handle. The slip joint is sturdy and reassuring, and inspired enough confidence for me to take on tougher jobs. The spring itself is tempered high carbon steel. Still, you need to use some care when working with a knife like this. It’s not a locking folder, and it sure as heck isn’t a fixed blade. Make sure you are using the right tool for the job.

GEC Viper Review – Final Thoughts

The Viper has been a wonderful introduction to higher end US made slip joint knives. I really like the look of single bladed slip joints, and traditional wharnies, so it was easy to pick this one out of the GEC lineup when thinking of my first knife.

That said, I was still surprised at how much I have enjoyed the 47. This is a larger folder, but it is still innocuous enough to bring to work. It carries well, cuts cleanly, and is satisfying to open and use. The materials are great, the fit and finish are on point, and the price is reasonable. The knife is also made in the USA. At the end of the day I have an extremely hard time finding any kind of fault with the Viper. I could do without the lanyard hole, but I see why they included it. I am also not a huge fan of the amount of branding GEC etched onto the blade. Thankfully, that faded with cleaning. Beyond that I have no complaints.

I highly recommend the Viper if you are looking for a traditional folder or just an excellent EDC.

GEC Viper – From $82.36
From: KnivesShipFree

I recommend purchasing the Viper at KniveShipFree. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.